The dining room at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

The dining room at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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The dining room at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

The dining room at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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The dining room and bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

The dining room and bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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The bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

The bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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The dining room and bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

The dining room and bar at Pesce's new location on Market Street in San Francisco.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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Pesce Chef and Co-Owner Ruggero Gadaldi.

Pesce Chef and Co-Owner Ruggero Gadaldi.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

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Co-Owner Adriano Paganini at Pesce.

Co-Owner Adriano Paganini at Pesce.

Photo: Ian C. Bates / The Chronicle

Pesce reopens in its new Market Street location

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The Polk Street incarnation of Pesce was a great restaurant, a precursor to many of the trends –small plates, tight cocktails — that would envelop the city.

With the relocated version of the Venetian-inspired seafood specialist, chef Ruggero Gadaldi and partner Adriano Paganini — who both evolved the formula at sister restaurants like Beretta and Delarosa — are hoping to recapture that same Pesce magic.

Upon its opening last night in its new Castro digs, it seems like Pesce is en route to endearing itself to a new neighborhood. Paganini, who has experience in the area with nearby Starbelly and Super Duper, hopes to capitalize on the dearth of strong restaurants, restaurant bars, and well-done cocktails in the neighborhood.

It’s a concept that is user-friendly, like many of the pair’s restaurants. Cocktails ($10) are creative but not complex, and a new selection of pre-made bar snacks ($2-$3) hovers on trays behind the bar. Last night, cicchetti offerings included house-smoked salmon, mortadella from Starbelly, baccala croquettes, a little pot of giardiniera and more.

The seafood-centric menu is very similar to the former Pesce, though a small selection of pizzette is new.

Pesce is open for dinner nightly, but it will be closed on this coming Sunday. Eventually, brunch will commence.